What's Wrong With This Picture: Four's Company Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Volkswagen has announced [via Autoblog] that “in response to requests by many customers,” the Passat CC will now be available with seating for three in the back seat. The lesson: even the people who spend more money for a more-fashionable but less-practical version of a mass-market car want that extra seatbelt just in case. Which begs the question…

What’s going to happen to poor baby Volt? Thanks to a fat battery running down the middle of the car, it’s buckets-only in the back. And unlike VW’s CC, the Volt won’t be fixable with some extra upholstery, a headrest and a seatbelt. Sure, it won’t matter for the hardcore early adopters, but for the folks who think the Volt can replace their family sedan, this seems likely to be an issue.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Wheatridger Wheatridger on Jan 25, 2010

    Now if only the Passat CC had sufficient headroom for one in the back seat. Or the front. That plunging roofline is an immoveable wall that will keep me from buying another VW for many years to come, especially since the new US Jetta sports the same claustrophobic gangsta profile. So long, VW, it's been fun. Ernie has it right, though. Every car likes this needs a belt to secure a child seat in the center position. That's the safest place in the car. Besides, the little passenger has a better view of sights ahead from the middle. Easier to reach back there and wipe away the snot, too.

  • DweezilSFV DweezilSFV on Jan 26, 2010

    Why not four seats? Did anyone complain when stupid consoles chewed up a spot for a passenger[and knee room as well?] Or bucket seats became the standard for giving the driver that "cockpit" feel ? You know to indulge all those 'enthusiast' fantasies while creeping along in traffic ? And 4 seaters are sportier than 5 seaters, all my friends say so. I am being sarcastic: any car that large should at least offer seating for 5. Even the unloved K Car advertised seating for six.

  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
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